A Virtuous Ruby

GIVEAWAY

HUGULEY, PIPER
A VIRTUOUS RUBY

An unexpected love in a small, Southern town.

After fifteen months of hiding from the shame of bearing an illegitimate child, two words drive Ruby Bledsoe to face the good citizens of Winslow, Georgia. Never again. She vows to speak out against injustice. For her sisters. For her parents. For her infant son, Solomon.

When she comes to help an injured mill worker, she bristles when a tall, handsome man claiming to be a doctor brushes her aside. Despite his arrogance, Ruby senses he’s someone like her, whose light skin doesn’t quite hide who he is.

Up north, Dr. Adam Morson easily kept his mixed race a secret. Now that he’s in Georgia, summoned by his white father, he can feel restrictions closing in around him.

Something powerful draws him to the beauty whose activist spirit is as fiery as her name. And soon, Adam wants nothing more than to take Ruby and her child far from Georgia’s toxic prejudice. But Ruby must choose between seeking her own happiness and staying to fight for the soul of her hometown.

My Review:

Such an emotional read. My heart feels bruised, achingly tender now that I'm in recovery mode. This is a somber story, but a hope-filled one as well.

Ruby is an incredible heroine -- such a mix of contradictions. She's poised and regal and proud. Intelligent and determined to improve her circumstances. But she's also stubborn and defiant. Just ask Adam. He's learned the hard way and, honestly, in a battle of wills, he doesn't stand a chance. There's great dynamics between these two -- set apart by the very different worlds they live in.

When Adam comes to Winslow, Georgia, Ruby becomes his guide, helping him adapt to the harsh realities of the South. Only she's a firebrand who refuses to be muzzled and she doesn't hesitate to speak out against the atrocities being committed among her people. She doesn't hold back when it comes to the interloper doctor either. Adam begins to anticipate -- even look forward to -- her scathing comments and looks of disdain as she strives to put him in his place. But love flourishes in unlikely places though Ruby and Adam have enough challenges to hurdle before they can begin to hope for a future together.

 Racism is ugly and Huguley doesn't mince words when it comes to the violence, degradation and brutality of white dominated Winslow Georgia. I was outraged through most of this read. Fuming at the ignorance and depravity of the inhabitants; shocked by the narrow-minded prejudice of Ruby's own people.

The author does an amazing job of capturing the volatile dynamics of this time period. It is present within Ruby's own family and the tenuous relationship she has with her mother. As well as in the complication her illegitimate child brings, leading to harsh judgements within her own church community. It is present in Adam's family as well and in the fine balance he attempts to navigate between white and black.

Faith is expertly woven into every aspect of the lives of these characters. It flows naturally into the overall story arc -- an extension of the time and the people. Beautifully uplifting in the midst of so many stark scenes.

A compelling introduction to Migrations of the Heart series. I can't wait to read the rest of the books!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

E-BOOK COPY ONLY

If you would like an opportunity to win an e-copy of  A Virtuous Ruby please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 7 2016 . Offer open to international readers. Good luck!